Against the Indigo Sky by Literary Arts

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Against the Indigo Sky

Against the Indigo Sky 2008-2009 Student Online Chapbook © 2009 Literary Arts, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be duplicated in any way—mechanical, photographic, electronic, or by means yet to be devised—without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of a brief excerpt or quotation for the purpose of review. Printed in the United States. Set in Palatino. Literary Arts Staff Andrew Proctor, Executive Director Kirsten Collins Susan Denning Kristin Loebbecke Jennifer MacGregor Marshall Miller Mary Rechner James Rishky WITS Interns Alex Behr Kelley Burnett Chris Cottrell Colin Cowden Sarah Daus Merriwether Falk Sabrina Goldsman

Board of Directors Jodi Delahunt Hubbell, Chair Connie Christopher Rick Comandich John Daniel Barnes C. Ellis Michele Glazer Susan Hathaway-Marxer Kurt Hutton Susheela Jayapal Frank Langﬁtt Phillip Margolin Per Ramfjord Strunk & White Society An Honorary Society of Distinguished Advisors Brian Booth Bart Eberwein Brian Gard Diana Gerding Molly Gloss Carrie Hoops Ursula K. Le Guin Julie Mancini Brenda Metlebeke Diane Ponti Halle Sadle Steven Taylor Steve Wynne

Chapbook Staff Editors: Mary Rechner, Chris Cottrell Designer: Chris Cottrell Proofreader: Sarah Daus Writers in the Schools is a program of Literary Arts, a statewide, nonprofit arts organization that enriches the lives of Oregonians through language and literature. For more information please contact: 224 NW 13th Avenue, Suite 306 Portland, or 97209 503.227.2583 www.literary-arts.org Cover Art: Kaira Badilla, Renaissance Arts Academy

Contents Writers in the Schools

Support

Introduction

Mary Rechner, WITS Program Director

vii

Mechanical Pencil

Alina Basaraba, Marshall HS

Things I Live For

Daniel Shore, Wilson HS

Abstract Stillness

Annie Zhang, Franklin HS

How I Survived a Six Hour Trip to Idaho Ryan Selle, Cleveland HS

Untitled

Han White-Duong, Franklin HS

Con Science

Quin Kloppenburg, Lincoln HS

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shinigami Friend

Straten Hagen-Reedy, Marshall HS

The Last Combination

Jane Esterline, Wilson HS

Untitled

Kate John, Cleveland HS

What Friends Do

Amina Amir, Marshall HS

A Dream

Wednesday Burke, Franklin HS

How to See a Heron

Josiah Makinster, Cleveland HS

My Grandmother, Mother and Me

LuYun Chen, Marshall HS

Love

Hari Dhimal, Marshall HS

Her Mind Plays Games

Sara Tonga, Grant HS

iii

Writers in the Schools Writers-in-Residence

Turiya Autry, Lorraine Bahr, Carmen Bernier-Grand, Carson Cistulli, Raphael Dagold, Michael Dickman, Hunt Holman, John Isaacson, Joe Kurmaskie, Jessica Lamb, Amy Minato, John Morrison, Laura Moulton, Emma Oliver, Mark Pomeroy, Donna Prinzmetal, Carlos Reyes, Kirsten Rian, Joanna Rose, Natalie Serber, JoNelle Toriseva, Cindy Williams GutiĂŠrrez, Matthew B. Zrebski

Visiting Authors

Turiya Autry, Geraldo Calderon & Cindy Williams GutiĂŠrrez, Matthew Dickman, Mira Nair, Vitaly Paley & Robert Reynolds, Richard Russo, Crystal Williams

Participating Teachers

Diana Bentley, Matthew Boyer, Barbara Brown, Gloria Canson, Therese Cooper, Michael Cullerton, Anne Dierker, Jacque Dixon, Jerry Eaton, Bianca Espinosa, Jennifer Frederick, Elena Garcia-Velasco, Stefanie Goldbloom, Kelly Gomes, John Patrick Gonzales, Garin Gregory, Emily Gromko, Barbara Hansen, Leslie Hillen, Samae Horner, Paige Knight, Steve Lambert, Chris Lane, Naomi Leavitt, Eric Levine, William Lovatt, Dorie MacCormack, Manuel Mateo, Ginny Maxam, Eve McAlister, Pat McCormick, Anne Meadows, Dave Mylet, Amanda-Jane Nelson, Karen Polis, Pam Quale, Mary Rodeback, Al Rowell, Chris Rudolf, Andy Sorensen, Eddy Shuldman, Mike Sweeney, Serena Talcott, Amy Taramasso, Trisha Todd, Dana Vinger, Kristin Wallace, Tracey Wyatt, Anna York, Jamie Zartler

Participating Principals

Devon Baker, Sue Brent, Peyton Chapman, Leo Colegio, Paul Cook, Rosemary Donnelly, Cynthia Harris, Shay James, Fred Locke, Joseph Malone, A.J. Morrison, Stevie Newcomer, Steve Olczak, Elisa Schorr, Frank Scotto, Pat Thompson

District Liaison

Marcia Arganbright

Support The following individuals, businesses and foundations made Writers in the Schools a success in 2008â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2009:

Sponsors

Autzen Foundation The Collins Foundation The Bill Healy Foundation H.W. & D.C.H. Irwin Foundation Juan Young Trust Carol Mayer-Reed & Michael Reed PGE Foundation Templeton Foundation Trust Management Services, LLC

Major Supporters

Brijesh & Ann Anand Kenneth Arnold & Constance Kirk, KenArnoldBooks, LLC Ray & Jean Auel Bank of the West Nancy & Roderick Boutin Broadway Books William & Miranda Burnett Chelsea Cain & Marc Mohan

Joan Cirillo & Roger Cooke Mary Clark Debi Coleman Rick Comandich & Maya Muir The Commerce Bank of Oregon Joanne & Joseph Delahunt Penny & Ken Durant Sue & Ed Einowski Barnes C. Ellis Wayne & Sandra Ericksen Mary Fellows & John Russell Brian & Rhonda Gard Gard Communications Robert D. Geddes & Cameron G.R. Geddes Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Bob & Diana Gerding Nancy & Andy Glass Jane & Howard Glazer Susan Hathaway-Marxer & Larry Marxer Josh Hinerfeld & Andrea Binder Deborah Horrell & Kit Gillem Jodi Delahunt Hubbell & Todd Hubbell Judy & Hank Hummelt Cecelia & Robert Huntington Kurt & Michele Hutton Susheela Jayapal & Brad Miller David Johnson Mac & Molly Jones Michael Kalberer & Kalberer Company Barbara & Jock Kimberley Frank Langfitt & Mary Janet Steen Carol Schnitzer Lewis Kristin Loebbecke Phillip Margolin Janeen McAninch John Meadows Brenda Meltebeke & Scott Stuart Violet & Robert Metzler Lora & Jim Meyer Susan Morgan, VMD M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Corrine Oishi & Lindley Morton Diane Ponti & Ward Greene

Elicia Putnam & The Shop Per & Liana Ramfjord Mary Rechner & Barry Sims Reuben Rich Halle & Rick Sadle Barbara & Steve Sanders Paul Schneider & Lauren Eulau Norm & Barbara Sepenuk Howard & Manya Shapiro John & Joan Shipley Victor Trelawny U.S. Bancorp Foundation Michele Wasson & Jordan Hantman Brian Wilson Steve & Deborah Wynne Thank you to the following people who contributed through Willamette Weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2008 Give!Guide campaign: Peter & Marcia Austin-Zacharias Josh Bachman Blair Batson Mary Ellen Boles Laura Bolster Candace Bonner Christine Bourdette & Ricardo Lovett Kylee & Jesse Brandt Richard Brown & Ruth Robbins Richard Brown & Laura Washington Catherine Bull Lynn Burditt Patty Busse Ellen & Jack Cantwell Linda Carpenter Adams Carroll Valerie Cashman John Chapman Jenny Chu Brenda Clark Kathleen Clarkson Scott & Carrie Cohen Kirsten Collins Maura Conlon-McIvor & Andy McIvor Elizabeth Cowin Susan & Michael Denning

Barbara Donner Deborah Downs Kerry Drury Emiko Dubose Zachary Edmonson & Rebecca Stefoff Jena Ferrarese Andrew Fuller Kortney Garrison & Andrew Poundstone William George Lorian Gray Stephanie Guerrasio Cecelia Hagen & Craig Spilman Charles Halberstadt & Ann Buenzli Tom & Woesha Hampson Mykle Hansen Alexis Harris William & Elizabeth Hathaway Tom Haydon Linda Haynes Susan Hereford Deborah Herzberg Jillian Hicks Deborah Hobbie Cody Hoesly Kathleen Holt & Alex Dupey Catherine Huck Chelsey Johnson Wallace Jones Alan Kiphut Gregg Kleiner Lori Salus Ed & Christie Kline Kristy Wallace Knight & Eric Wallace BettyLou Koffel Ute Kongsbak & Robin Kinnaird Susan Kuhn Barbara & Barry Larrain Kirsten & Christopher Leonard Linda & Steve Leslie Elianne Lieberman Nancy Linnon Patty & Richard Lofgren Sarah Long Lynne Ludeman Jennifer & Haig MacGregor

Michael Madias & Elaine Pepper Nicholas Manusos & Kristin Berger Richard & Elizabeth Marantz Laura McCue Sue-Del McCulloch Jeanne McGinnis Richard Meeker & Ellen Rosenblum Lora Meisner & Glenn Baly Dave Mendenhall Ben Moorad Marianne Morris John Morrison & Kim Anne Thomas Mark Nedleman Phoebe Olson Lilian Ongelungel Jollee & John Patterson Shelley Peters Julia Peters & Bruce Brown Debra & Mark Pettijohn Terry Phillippi Sandy Polishuk Sean Pollack & Cris Paschild Donna Prinzmetal & Stephen Kirsch Katie Radditz & Bill Kloster Charlotte Rubin & Rick Rubin Elizabeth Scott Shaun Semseh Eddy Shuldman & Jeff Edmundson Joanne Skirving Pamela & William Small Paula Small Rita Smith Kingen David Stout Cynthia Stowell & John Miller Michael & Michelle Van Kleeck Stephanie Vardavas & Mike Radway David Varner Lois Waldron Julia & Bill Wayne Marcia Weinstein Maud Whalen Margaret Willer Shannon Wolf Lora Worden Kathleen Worley

George & Betsy Wright Esther Wright Rebecca Youngstrom & Ronald Atwood Jeanne Zuelke & Russ Albertson

Introduction

Mary Rechner, WITS Program Director

riters in the Schools (WITS) believes in relationships that last. We began working with Grant High School in 1996, and have since grown to serve all of the comprehensive Portland public high schools and five alternative high school programs, serving more than 2,000 students each year with semester-long creative writing residencies, mentoring, and author visits. To help schools achieve their goal of teaching writing across the disciplines, in 2008-2009 WITS provided residencies in African American Studies, Advanced Biology, Advanced Theatre, Biology, Earth Science, English, English Language Learning, Global Studies, Language Arts, Photography and Spanish for Native Speakers. In order to keep our relationship with schools vital, we are developing new partnerships with other arts organizations and hiring writers with diverse backgrounds. Each year we publish a print anthology to showcase student work. Our 2008-2009 print anthology, A Whole New Subject, is available at local independent bookstores and on our website http://www. literary-arts.org/wits/anthology.php. We also publish a blog, W.o.o.t.s., http://www.literary-arts.org/ blogs/ to provide even more publishing opportunities for the students we serve. Our new PDF chapbooks, Swing Set, What Now, and Against and Indigo Sky, are our newest ways to publish student work. Publication is important because it validates effort and enables writers to share their creations with readers. The printed page (whether on paper or a computer screen) provides a tangible record of ephemeral work that takes place, primarily, in the imagination.

vii

Mechanical Pencil

Alina Basaraba, Marshall Campus

Lead? Lead? Lead? Where are you? Pencil, here I am. What troubles you? I can’t write without you. It’s impossible, explained Pencil. OK. Open up and I’ll fall in. Slowly Pencil opens up. Lead gets in. Pencil starts writing, Lead leaves its marks on paper for the world to see. Thank you so much, Lead! Will you stay in me forever? Really? You want me to? It would be an honor. I’d love to! OK. I am now your home.

Things I Live For Daniel Shore, Wilson HS

The smell of dinner-pulling me to the kitchen. My little brother’s smile when he gets a candy. When my mom gives me money to spend on something I don’t need. The feeling I get when I know someone is proud of me. Whenever someone remembers my birthday. The taste of a cold, refreshing, heavenly soda on a scorching summer day. The happiness whenever my favorite team, the Blazers win. The smell of a home-cooked breakfast the bacon and eggs filling my nostrils. The amazing and indescribable feeling I get when I wake up and I can just sense that it’s going to be a good day. The feeling of satisfaction after a great achievement. The familiar scent of fresh home cooking every time I enter my house. The smell of fresh baked cookies at grandma’s house. The warm embrace of a heated house during a blistering cold winter. The safe and warm feeling I get when I’m wrapped in my blankets at night The feeling when I see my entire family at an event that’s extremely important to me.

Abstract Stillness Annie Zhang, Franklin HS

Every night I walk home from the bus. Each step I take makes a sound that seems to disturb the peace and serenity of the darkness. My breath, a fog against the frosty stillness. A thousand midnight suns above me, winkling at me. I wish I could sparkle like them. Translucent memories play in my mind, forgetting, remembering. I play hide and go seek with the moon, its lovely crescent shape, a boat heading home across the grand ocean, clouds of sea foam float gently. My eyes, reflecting the celestial beauty, flickers of white flames against the indigo sky.

Ryan Selle, Cleveland HS

Untitled

Han White-Duong, Franklin HS

I cannot go any lower than this! My head is spinning, and the food tastes like chalk. I don’t think this was a good idea, Ma! Sick kid, crappy buffet! What?! I’m sorry, but everyone needed to eat and we’re pretty broke this month. So you think coming here three nights a week is gonna help? It’s frickin’ ten dollars for people over 12! Fine then, you decide where we’re gonna go for dinner! Fine! Fine! Who wants Taco Bell? I do, I do! See ma, affordable food, slightly better quality and nobody is complaining. Yeah whatever. Just bring me back the change, and a No, 6 w/extra Baja Sauce. Can we get the cinnamon twists, and some chalupas? Sure, but how am I gonna get home with all this? ...Bike! ...Fine. 5

Either you tell him or I will! But you know he gets mad when he has to do more than he expected. So it’s either you eat or you don’t. It’s really his choice. ...oh fine! Get the phone... Hey while you’re at Taco Bell did you want to stop off and get some McDonalds, too? We just figured we’d widen the variety. Hmmm! No! If you want it, go and get it yourself. What did Ma say about it? Well she said it was your choice, but who really cares what she says, right? I like the way you’re thinking... okay I’ll getchu a little somethin’. Alright! (click) Who cares what she says?! C’mon Ma, you know we didn’t mean it like that. Haha, right... GROUNDED! Fine... I do not hate you. That crazy look in your eyes says otherwise... Did you get the food? Whatever, here’s my burritos and there’s your guys’ Rat Crap burgers. It’s not rat crap, it’s beef! That’s what you think! 6

Lose your attitude! Lose my attitude? C’mon I just rode my bike 12 miles to get dinner for everyone. So. So? Wow you’re ridiculous, I don’t even get a thank you! Thanks! Shut up! I’m busy arguing! Wow you’re getting ruder by the minute. Yeah well I get it from you, The Queen of Bitching, and that’s just the thing, you bitch about everything! Probably cuz you’re a woman right?... Yeah that’s what I thought, SHUT UP! I don’t care if it’s wrong. I just want to hug you! No! Get the hell off me, who do you think you are some pedophile at the mall? WO! Not cool I can’t believe you just said that. Well I guess what? I just did! And I really do mean everything I said, you’re a bitch who will do anything, just so you can have things your way Yeah so. I’m your mom. I gave birth to you and I’m the reason you’re alive today. Well I didn’t ask to be pushed out of your Gut Locker! My What? Your Gut Locker, your Nether Regions, the Ham-Wallet, your vagina, whatever you want to call it! Wow, there’s that many names? 7

Oh, way more, but you’ve been bitching so much lately, you haven’t had the time to listen, let alone breathe. Okay then I’ll prove it, I’ll be quiet for one hour just so you can talk. Okay... now! Actually, I’m good, but finally. Some Peace and Quiet!

Con Science

Quin Kloppenburg, Lincoln High School

LaLa Here I Go Don’t Work to find time any more I come as I come Go as I go Rock how I will This is my show I am Outstanding Commanding Demanding Reprimanding People can see I am Dashing Clashing Slashing Mashing I’m not to be taken lightly I’ll bring it up I’ll take it down Fall through the earth as I slam it down Bubble bubble here I go Mix the our acid With the basics And watch me Blow I’ll mess around Don’t question now I’m not that girl next door I’m raw 9

I’ll say what I want to say You can try to break water I’ll bring the heat Don’t expect this to be easy I’ll flow Glow Rock this roll And I can still drop it low Alone I am unknown Unowned I can control And this is my time here I go Listen close I only repeat the chorus Lyrics are for those with a message To take you away Blow you a way Put you to shame They speak truth everyday Lyrics are not to be afraid They are to raid strip pray They shall question you Don’t question me I have the pen I have the mic I have the power To show you spite I will use my voice To lead the night I am a force with this glow flow Can’t you see I’m rocking this roll This is my Show I am Outstanding Commanding Demanding 10

Reprimanding People can see I am Dashing Clashing Slashing Mashing I will turn you to Ash If you don’t fight back I won’t lay back and relax There to much to fax In this world of fact And reason You need to find what you believe in Or you fall into the sea of Hypocrisy It’s democracy You drown in the justice of Anarchy, it’s too late to believe In what you can’t see Realize how to see through other’s eyes And find that we are all Tangled, Mangled, Angled In our Star Spangled equality In Quantity In Liberality Don’t Count on Me To Be down with that Propaganda mat The Stick don’t shine it’s in the mind Can you follow that? I hope you be in this war with me Against all these Machines of perfection, 11

Detection, Mutilation of, Tradition, It prohibits My existence Of the mind that will resist it So people wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you listen to the message of my image Stop and wonder what you given A voice a mind to think with A conscience of resilience Remember why we want this To find the strength within us To over power our oppression And take the life that we are given This is not a sacrifice it is our right This is our show tonight We are Outstanding Commanding Demanding Reprimanding The world can see We are Dashing Clashing Slashing Mashing We will not be taken lightly As we bring it up Take it down Fall the earth as we slam this new order down We are born with this voice this mind To stand up and fight, to show our given right We have a conscience of resilience Its time to fight for our Manifestation As we work to our Destination 12

And fight for our Brilliance With this conscience of resilience.

L’s Shinigami Friend

Straten Hagen-Reedy, Marshall HS

Sweet, kind, a good friend of L, That same friend is scary shinigami She is as strong as a lioness, yet can be a mouse, She is Native American, but at heart she is Japanese and Kira On April 24th she was born, In a nation of benders that fueled the flames of war. She is training and learning about an angles of light, But in her deathmind her life is a living shadow. She has said before that she is “A Shinigami that is lost in the shadows, looking for her master L.” Kira, a shinigami who is bound to the world by her Death Note and her love for L. Who is L’s Shinigami friend? It is me, And my name is Twilight Katana.

The Last Combination Jane Esterline, Wilson HS

reached for my water bottle quickly, paying no attention to the fact that it was dripping everywhere. I just took a sip and prepared for the last combination of my ballet class. I was in the zone, nothing could break my concentration. I studied the teacher’s every movement until it was engraved in my mind. The teacher finished showing us the series of movements, Grande battemente front, side, and back, and slowed, walking over to the pianist and she telling us to get into place. Once she reached him, she cued to begin the introduction. In my head all I heard was three two one go. The Combination began with a flurry of motion, legs were flying everywhere. I looked around the room, sweat dripping from my brow and my legs aching to be done. All I see are fast moving legs everyone looked like they knew what they were doing, concentrating on each step coming next. What about me why couldn’t I focus, then I realized I knew the combination I just had to listen to the music. That’s what it was there for. Once I really listened it was like a magnificent orchestra to my ears. I wasn’t even thinking about the steps at all, just letting the steps flow out of me, making sure my foot was fully pointed, and my leg was extended. The window panes let large rectangles of light flood throughout the room, making me want to finish even more to get out of this studio and bask in the golden brown sun for a while. I started noticing all the things I never really noticed before. How the barre was thick and had grooves curving throughout. It felt sturdy. Like it could withstand, so durable and reliable. I was on the homestretch of the combination every moment counted now. I tried to remember just to listen to the music and not over think anything. I was to the point where I wasn’t sure if I could pick my leg up anymore, luckily I had a few lifts left in me. Finally it was over. I walked over to the teacher at the end of class and curtsied and shook her hand, which felt soft and smooth unlike mine which was sweaty and hot.

I changed quickly and walked to the lobby. I waved goodbye to all my friends, who also looked out of breath and tired. I remember how I wanted to be in the sun oh so much. I reached for the icy cold metal handle leading me home after a tiring class. I opened the door and walked out, noticing the freshly fallen leaves on the ground and the sun creeping through the bushes bringing a little warmth to my body. Finally class was over and I had conquered the last combination.

John Kate, Cleveland HS

What Friends Do

Amina Amir, Marshall HS

feel and fear show and share take and talk walk and wake grow and gun sun and soon low and lie rock and roll

A Dream

Wednesday Burke, Franklin HS

During midnight, I had a dream, like teaching an elephant how to speak, we were emerging from the murk and we were wasting time, like teaching an elephant how to speak, it was full of fog and we were wasting time, silly dollies and cupcake trolleys It was full of fog, like a gift you can open up every morning, silly dollies and cupcake trolleys, it had no point Like a gift you can open up every morning, we were floating, it had no point, eating yummy foods, We were floating high above the clouds eating yummy foods We were almost content High above the clouds we laughed and danced we were almost content then it was over with a kiss, 19

We laughed and danced, during midnight, I had a dream, then it was over with a kiss, I was emerging from the murk

How to See a Heron

Josiah Makinster, Cleveland HS

At the edge of a river Where the ground is muddy And waterskippers frantically Skip across the water Where a log has fallen and Challenges the current Where the water is calm And a falling leaf sends a tremor Through the water and Disrupts the equilibrium Where skipping stones lie Waiting to be thrown Where the reeds creep Into the water Where a fish hides under the shade of a rock That is where you will find a heron.

My Grandmother, Mother, and Me LuYun Chen, Marshall HS

Hearing the old story, I was sitting on the long couch. Grandmom was sitting in the rocking chair. And ancient story came into my mind. Beautiful imagination. Beautiful thought. I go through my grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Telling mother what I think, I was doing my homework. Mother was doing her housework. Secrets were coming out of my mouth. Deepest opinion. Deepest talk. My mother goes through my life. Hearing their thoughts Sharing my love Happiness went through our life.

Love

Hari Dhimal, Marshall HS

Love is a life To live a lot Live is a time To say something Love is a place To be together Love is blind And hard to find Love is not a place Where we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share Love is not closed If there is love there canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be sadness Love is to make Not to break Love is difficult to get And impossible to forget

Her Mind Plays Games Sara Tonga, Grant HS

STEVIE: Early twenties woman. PIANO: Black grand piano. SETTING: 2008- one day in spring. (PIANO is sitting in the middle of the living room, deep in thought, covered in the dust left from last weeks cleaning. It’s high noon, and the sun is shining through the east window illuminating the whole room. STEVIE enters clearly agitated and a bit rough. She notices PIANO lost in its own thoughts, and approaches with caution. PIANO senses her presence but doesn’t acknowledge as he knows all too well that STEVIE will take action. After waiting for several seconds, STEVIE sits without warning and begins to talk. PIANO redirects his attention.) What the hell are you looking at?

STEVIE

What?

PIANO

You know what!

STEVIE

Can’t I just see who comes in?

PIANO

Shut the hell up

STEVIE

You didn’t get it huh?

PIANO

(Silence) So… You wanna tell me No

STEVIE

Come on.

PIANO

I said NO!

STEVIE

(STEVIE starts to tear up as she begins to play waltz in E minor. PIANO begins to understand all too well as he feels parts of him move. Without warning, STEVIE begins to pounds harder.) STEVIE He didn’t even tell me. I don’t think he would’ve if I hadn’t walked in on the two of them. PIANO Walk in on them? Who? STEVIE Damn him! DAMN HER! DAMN HER! Oh… her…

PIANO

STEVIE 25

And to think I was going over there to apologize and even do a little bit of groveling! (STEVIE begins to speed up the tempo as she doesn’t notice the worried look on PIANO’S face. PIANO is only too familiar with this kind of aggression. This isn’t the first time they’ve been through something like this.) PIANO Were they… what did you… You know this is all your… Never mind…. STEVIE You’re… you think this is all my fault don’t you? DON’T YOU?!

(Silence)

Well…

PIANO

STEVIE No.. Screw you. SCREW YOU ALL! PIANO HEY! CALM DOWN! And stop banging on me! (Beat) Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. But it did.

STEVIE

Yeah… it did.

PIANO

(Silence)

STEVIE

I think I’m going to throw up. Why? What’s wrong?

PIANO

STEVIE I don’t know. I’ve been feeling sick and nauseated lately.

PIANO Tis’ the season to bringing new life into the world! STEVIE How could you! (Silence) (STEVIE begins to play Debussy’s Claire de Lune, and PIANO senses the tension.) It’s not possible.. We used…

STEVIE

Of course.

PIANO

And he said

STEVIE

Yup ….OH MY HELL!

PIANO STEVIE

(STEVIE stops playing half way through the piece and runs to the bathroom. PIANO stays put and wonders what will happen next. STEVIE returns after a couple of minutes and finds PIANO surprisingly calm.)

This can’t happen to me! Stevie, keep playing.

STEVIE

PIANO

STEVIE I don’t feel like it. PIANO Fine sit here and annoy me by being silent. No.

STEVIE

PIANO Then play something or go somewhere else. Fine…

STEVIE

I’m pregnant…

(Beat)

(Silence)

(STEVIE finishes playing and stands up. PIANO intently watches her every move. She begins to say something but stops. PIANO tries to move but forgot how to. STEVIE can see, and walks over to help PIANO. The light from the sun outside is starting to set.) STEVIE You know, since I was little, you’ve always been there. Even when you probably didn’t want to… PIANO Yeah I know. Never moved an inch. Except for when Craig moved me in here from the upstairs living 28

room. STEVIE I mean I hated you. I really hated you. Probably more then anything else in my life. Well you, and that stupid Ms. Allen… (STEVIE starts to play again, this time with the relaxation in her wrists that PIANO knew all too well. STEVIE begins to feel the rhythm of the moonlight sonata as PIANO freely welcomes her now warm hands.) STEVIE I hated you for so long when I was young. I remember the day I made up my mind that I would hate you forever. I walked in and my mom was with you. She always loved you more then me. You were jealous… of me?

PIANO

(Silence)

STEVIE No… maybe… yeah I was. I always hated how she catered to your every need, but when it came to me, it was always, “Go do it yourself!”… I still hate you for turning my own mom against me. PIANO Some things are just harder to understand. STEVIE Like how will Mom understand how I’m pregnant? PIANO Stevie, you don’t have to do anything you don’t. STEVIE Or maybe the fact that my baby’s daddy is now screwing my little sister!

(Silence)

PIANO Hmm.. When was the last time you talked to Carrie? STEVIE Hate talking to the bitch. Probably been two weeks now, why? Oh nothing...nevermind.

PIANO

No. Tell me now.

STEVIE

(Beat)

Are you going to tell him?

PIANO

(STEVIE begins to softly touch the surface. Goosebumps spill throughout PIANO as STEVIE approaches middle C. The sun has set outside, and it’s complete darkness inside with the moon’s reflection through the window as the only source of light.) Stevie?

PIANO

What? Uhh…

STEVIE

What!

STEVIE

PIANO

Well it’s just that… your sister is… WHAT!

STEVIE

Umm, nothing really..

PIANO

STEVIE WHAT DAMN IT! DID SHE SAY ANYTHING TO YOU! Well.. She told me something.

PIANO

Something like?

STEVIE

Well nothing really…

PIANO

WHAT!

STEVIE

(Silence)

She’s pregnant isn’t she?.. Isn’t she! ISN’T SHE! (STEVIE, now more confused, and lost in her own thoughts, with a puzzled look on her face, she is trying to sort things out, and understand what just happened. PIANO, never moving.) PIANO Now Stevie.. I didn’t say anything like that. And… is it… his?

STEVIE

(Silence)

I’m not… I mean I don’t…

PIANO

(STEVIE begins to cry uncontrollably as IT sits there uncomfortable of the situation he had caused. IT looks out the window, as STEVIE tries to get up. I’m going to be sick… You OK?

STEVIE

PIANO

STEVIE DAMN YOU PIANO! YOU WERE ALL I HAD! YOU WERE ALL I HAD, AND YOU WENT BEHIND MY BACK AND LET CARRIE CONFIDE IN YOU! YOU KNEW HOW I FELT ABOUT HER! YOU KNEW AND YOU STILL ALLOWED HER TO TOUCH YOU! SIT WITH YOU! HELL! YOU LET HER TELL YOU SOMETHING LIKE THIS? AND YOU ASK ME IF I’M GOING TO BE OK? PIANO What exactly are you trying to say? That this is all my fault? (STEVIE throws PIANO’S seat to the ground as she gets up. Clearly furious, STEVIE pounds her fists on to the keys with every inch of strength in her as she stands up. PIANO is hurt, and scared. After a few minutes, STEVIE begins to calm down as she sits back down with PIANO.) I’m… sorry…

STEVIE

I don’t care. Don’t touch me.

PIANO

STEVIE

I said I’m sorry! You of all people should know how I can get when my temper gets the best of me. Nevermind. Just leave…

PIANO

(STEVIE starts to the door. PIANO watches her. Worrying about her, PIANO hopes she turns around one last time. STEVIE reaches for the knob as she turns around one more time.) I really am sorry.

STEVIE

I know.. I am too..

PIANO

STEVIE For what? I was the one who hit you. PIANO Pretty sure I wasn’t helping any either… Yeah OK.. Well bye..

STEVIE

Hey Stevie?

PIANO

Yeah?

STEVIE

Take care okay?

PIANO

STEVIE Sure.. Yeah.. Will do… And can you do me a favor and keep this whole pregnant thing between the keys? 33

Between the keys- got it.

PIANO

STEVIE Kay.. Well I guess I better get going… PIANO Okay, but before you do, can you please come and cover me up? Oh, and try not killing anyone again…

STEVIE Please.. I’m not in the mood, and I already told you that was an accident. PIANO Oh yeah.. Accident that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t gone over to his house. STEVIE Not in the mood, but if you’d like, I would be more then happy to finish you off right here right now. No one’s home, and I’m sure all the neighbors are out. PIANO You know, now that I think of it, the police did clear you two days after… STEVIE I know, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to cover you up, quietly leave, and see what tomorrow brings… PIANO Alright.. Anything you say boss, you just remember who knows everything about you. (With a smirk on her face, STEVIE walks back over the black grand PIANO and takes the cover beside its right leg and begins to cover the smooth surface of PIANO. STEVIE pats PIANO one last time and exits . Light shines on PIANO, then blacks out.) End of Play.

Tha

nk Y ou